Illuminated solar umbrella

ABSTRACT

A self-contained, maintenance free, rechargeable lighting system for use with a canopy to provide illumination in the absence of sunlight. By utilizing solar energy, the system is free of electrical cords, thereby making it usable in a variety of applications where electrical outlets are either not readily accessible or may present a safety concern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Table umbrellas traditionally are used to provide relief from thesun's rays during the daytime hours. However, they can also be used toprovide lighting in the evening. For example, artificial lights attachedto the underside of the umbrella's canopy provide illumination of thetable during dusk, nighttime hours, or during periods where there isinsufficient sunlight. These lights typically attach to the underside ofthe umbrella and are powered by a standard electrical outlet, typicallyvia an extension cord. The need for an external power source reduces theeffectiveness of these lights under certain situations, such as in acrowded outdoor restaurant where multiple extension cords may be asafety hazard, or in secluded areas where access to an electrical outletmay be difficult or impossible.

[0002] In addition, when incandescent string lights are mounted on theribs of the conventional models of illuminated umbrella canopies, thebulbs are trapped or pinched against the ribs and the hard surfaces ofthese ribs and the support mechanisms when closing or lowering thefabric canopy. This results in premature failure of the bulbs and therelated wiring when closing the umbrella due to inclement weather orseasonal storage of the canopy.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aself-contained, maintenance-free, rechargeable lighting system incombination with an umbrella, the lighting system supplying suitablelighting during periods of insufficient sunlight, without the necessityof external wires or cords. This invention finds application in avariety of locations, such as beaches, patios, decks, backyards, kiosks,outdoor dining areas, and queue lines.

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide alighted umbrella assembly, including a canopy, a support membersupporting the canopy between an open position and a closed position,and a rechargeable lighting system including one or more solarcollectors, an energy storage component associated with the one or moresolar collectors, and one or more lights powered by the storagecomponent.

[0005] It is still another object of the present invention to provide alighted umbrella assembly within minimal or no wiring in the vicinity ofthe umbrella ribs, and that utilizes LED task lighting that ispositioned a safe distance away from the hard surfaces of the umbrellacanopy.

[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anumbrella kit including the aforementioned lighting components, with orwithout an umbrella and umbrella support, along with instructions forassembling the same or for retrofitting an existing umbrella with thelighting components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the presentinvention, which provides a self-contained lighting system incombination with an umbrella. The lighting system includes one or morelight sources, which preferably are mounted on the underside of theumbrella canopy and are powered by an energy storage component such asone or more batteries. The energy storage component is preferably housedin close proximity to the umbrella stand, and is recharged by energyreceived from a solar collector preferably attached to the outer surfaceof the canopy. The system also comprises a power manager, which directsenergy from the solar collector to the energy storage component duringperiods of sunlight, and draws energy from the energy storage componentto power the lights during periods of insufficient sunlight, such asduring evening hours. The power manager can also be used toautomatically turn on and off the lights based on available sunlight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention with the canopy inthe open position;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention with the canopy inthe open position;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention in greater detail;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention with the canopy inthe closed position;

[0012]FIG. 5 is an exemplary electrical schematic that can be used inaccordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention with an alternateenergy storage assembly location and a semi-permanent installation; and

[0014]FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention with an externalconduit and orientation key locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown generally at 10 astand-alone, portable umbrella, preferably an umbrella for use with anoutdoor table having a central aperture for receiving the umbrellasupport member. The umbrella is comprised of a canopy 11, which can becomprised of one or several pieces and is typically made of fabric orvinyl and is preferably water-resistant; a support member 12, typicallymade of wood, metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, fiberglass,carbon fiber or plastic; and an umbrella stand 13, typically constructedof a material of sufficient weight itself, or designed to be filled witha material of sufficient weight (e.g., water or stones) to serve as acounterweight and a secure holder for the canopy and pole. The size andshape of the canopy 11 is not particularly limited and depends in partof the particular application desired. The support member 12 is sizedappropriately so that the canopy 11, in its opened condition, is of thedesired height. For example, where the umbrella assembly is to be usedin conjunction with a dinner or picnic table, the support member 12 mustextend vertically from the ground (or other substrate) a sufficientdistance to allow for one or more persons to be seated around the tableand under the opened canopy 11. The support member 12 can be solid orhollow, provided it has the requisite rigidity to support the canopy 11and withstand winds and other environmental elements typical of theapplication. Preferably it is hollow to accommodate wiring as discussedin greater detail below, however a solid support member is also withinthe scope of the present invention.

[0016] In accordance with the present invention, one or more solarcollectors 14, capable of receiving energy from the sun and known tothose skilled in the art, is mounted on the canopy 11 by any suitablemeans. Suitable solar collectors are commercially available The solarcollector(s) 14 is oriented such that when the canopy 11 is in the openposition as shown in FIG. 1, the solar collector 14 is thereby tiltedtoward the sun, for example at a 20°-30° angle from the horizon in thesummer sun, enabling it to capture a sufficient and preferably optimalamount of solar energy. The present invention also comprises a powermanager 15 and a storage assembly 16, such as one or more batteries,both preferably mounted on or near the umbrella stand 13 to minimize theintrusiveness and conspicuousness of these devices. These devices can bemounted on wheels, so as to facilitate movement of the assembly.

[0017] The power manager 15 preferably is a solid-state device with nomechanical relays. It can be utilized whenever an umbrella is set up ina remote location or where an application requires minimal operatortasks. Only two steps need to be performed for stand-alone illuminationafter the initial power up:

[0018] The selection of how many hours of illumination are desired, ifany; and

[0019] Periodic maintenance of the solar collector.

[0020] The selection of hours can be set so that the hours of automaticillumination can occur at dusk and continue for a predetermined time,such as 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours of continuous operation. Alternatively,the controller can be set up to turn on illumination at dusk and operatethe task lighting for a predetermined time, such as 3 hours, turn offand turn on again at a predetermined time prior to sunrise, such as 1hour prior to sunrise. This setting provides illumination for peakoperating timeframes with minimal drain on the battery-supplied power.The manager also can include a setting to prevent the task lighting fromturning on at all. Preferably included in the electrical wiring is amanual switch to turn on the task lighting “at will” for troubleshootingpurposes and other maintenance functions.

[0021] The controller uses the sun's energy generated during periods ofdaylight hours to detect light and darkness. No voltage (or insufficientvoltage) is present from the solar collector in darkness or periods oflow light. In this condition, the task lighting is turned on.Conversely, when voltage is present from the solar collectors as indaylight hours, the task lighting is turned off.

[0022] The solar collector must be kept free of any items that mayreduce the available sunlight rays from reaching the photovoltaic wafers(or other devices operable to collect solar power) contained in thesolar collector. Direct sunlight, when available, must be utilizedefficiently for the power manager to operate as stated. Accordingly,preferably a “slot and key” arrangement is utilized in the supportmember to keep the canopy from spinning or turning away from the optimalpredetermined setting of the solar collector upon installation.

[0023] In the event that it is desired to minimize the operationalaspects of the power manager controller, the manual on/off switch may beutilized to activate the task lighting. In this mode of operation, thebattery may have to be replaced periodically at a greater frequency andthe manual operator tasks increase. In this mode, the task lighting maybe reduced to sporadic operation, based on the battery's availablepower. When the battery uses all of its available power, the lightingand the power manager will be turned off. When voltage is restored tothe battery, such as by energy received from the solar collector, thepower manager will reset.

[0024]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the present invention with thepower manager box 15 and the energy storage assembly 16 in analternative location. Rather than resting on the counterweight, as inFIG. 1, these devices are affixed to the support member 12, preferablyat a height lower than that of a conventional table. This location mayalso allow easier access for maintenance of the energy storage assemblyand the power manager. In this embodiment, the umbrella stand 13 can befastened to the horizontal substrate beneath it, such as a wood deck,with one or more lag bolts 29, eliminating the need for a counterweightin the stand.

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the present invention. The canopy11 is supported by a support frame comprising a plurality of preferablyinterconnecting support ribs 17 positioned on the underside of thecanopy, or in the interior of a dual layered canopy. Typically eightsupport ribs are used as in a conventional umbrella, although the exactnumber is not critical to the present invention. In this example, thecanopy 11 is comprised of 2 parts: a main canopy 18 and a vent flap 19.One or more solar collectors 14 is mounted on the main canopy 18,preferably in a location where its weight is primarily supported by atleast one support rib 17. In the embodiment shown, the wires exiting thesolar collector 14 pass between the main canopy 18 and the vent flap 19and emerge on the underside of the canopy. In the case of a single piececanopy, the wires from the solar collector can be guided to the outeredge of the canopy and thereafter to the underside. Mounted to theunderside of the canopy is one or more task lighting devices 20,preferably low power devices, most preferably devices employing lightemitting diode (LED) technology. The amount of task lighting required isdependent upon the umbrella size, shape and the desired use. In theexemplary figure, the lighting devices are LED ribbon cables, eachcontaining a plurality of LEDs 21, and these are arranged on theunderside of the canopy, preferably between the support ribs so as notto impede the closing of the canopy 11. The lighting devices can bearranged in any pattern, such as the symmetrical illumination patternshown, and can be any color, such as “cool white”, or a multiplicity ofcolors. The LEDs provide sufficient lighting for reading, due to theconcentrated focal point of the light as it is cast upon the table andover the shoulder of the reader sitting under the umbrella. Further, themounted angle of the ribbon cable to the bottom side of the umbrellacanopy minimizes the light available to shine in the eyes of a personseated directly across from each strip of task lighting. Power to thelighting devices 20 is provided via wires, preferably traversing theouter circumference of the canopy at intervals dictated by the diameterof the canopy, and is preferably enclosed in a fabric seam wireway 22.Preferably this cable assembly is a wiring harness fabricated for theparticular diameter or dimensions of the circumference of the canopy andall required connections are of the male-female solder type.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, a closer side view of the umbrella pole andsupport ribs is shown. The wires exiting the solar collector 14 travelbetween the main canopy 18 and the vent flap 19, preferably located atthe apex of the canopy, and enter a conduit inside or external to thesupport member 12, preferably near the top of the member. In thepreferred embodiment, the support member is made of a solid materialsuch as metal or most preferably wood, with a hollow conduit 23 integraltherewith and through which the wires traverse the length of the supportpole. The conduit is located so that it does not interfere with theopening/raising or closing/lowering of the canopy, yet providesprotection for the cables that carry the required voltage. The wirescarrying the collected solar energy extend to the power manager 15 andenergy storage component 16, and provide electrical communicationbetween the power manager, the energy storage component, and the solarcollector. Preferably all of the connections that originate or terminateat the power manager are secured by clamp type screw terminals and is aweather tight assembly that is self-contained and sealed from theelements. The wires needed to power the lighting devices extend from thestorage component 16, into the counterweight 14 and up through the sameconduit to the canopy 11, and provide electrical communication betweenthe one or more lights and the energy storage component 16.Alternatively, the wires could extend along the outside of the supportmember 12, although this is not as attractive and does not aseffectively shield the wires from the weather. As is typical with anumbrella, the support ribs are interconnecting through a central ribbase 24, which encircles the support member 12 and freely slides alongthe member 12 between a fixed canopy open position and a canopy closedposition. Movement of the rib base in the upward direction causes thesupport ribs to pull the canopy in, thereby closing the umbrella.Movement of the rib base in the downward direction causes the supportribs to push the canopy out, thereby opening the umbrella. Preferably alocking mechanism is utilized to fix the canopy in the open position.

[0027] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the wires could be enclosed inan external conduit 28 along the outside of the support member 12. Inthis embodiment, wires exiting the solar collector 14 enter the conduit28 preferably near the top of the support pole 12. A clearance hole 30is created in the central rib base 24 to facilitate the sliding upwardand downward action of the rib base so as to allow the canopy to openand close. The external conduit 28 can be fastened to the support pole12 in a number of ways, including glue, fasteners or preferably strapclamps 31. An orientation key 32 is preferably provided at the bottom ofthe support pole to facilitate interlocking with the counterweight. Thiskey 32 insures that the support member 12 does not rotate, as a resultof wind or human interaction. This is beneficial to ensure that thesolar collectors 14 remain oriented in the optimal direction to receivethe sun's rays.

[0028]FIG. 4 shows the umbrella in the closed position, such as ininclement weather or high winds. In this position, the lighting devicesare contained under the canopy and are shielded from the weather, whilethe solar collector remains on the outside of the canopy. Although theangle of the solar collector in this position is roughly perpendicularto the horizon, the collector is still able to collect solar energy,albeit less efficiently than when in the open position.

[0029]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary electrical schematic of the circuitryinvolved in the present invention. The one or more solar collectors 14collects energy from the sun and passes this energy through wires 25 tothe power manager 15. The power manager routes this energy to the energystorage component 16, preferably one or a multiplicity of batteries,most preferably a wet-type cell, through wires 26. In this way, energycaptured when sunlight is available is stored for use at a later time.In the preferred embodiment, four hours of sunlight provides sufficientpower to replenish the energy used by the lighting during the previousevening. A third set of wires 27 provides electrical communicationbetween the power manager and the lighting devices 20. Referring back toFIGS. 3 and 7, wire sets 25 and 27 preferably traverse the support poleinside a conduit.

[0030] The present invention also can be provided in kit form, whereinthe lighting system, including one or more lights, one or more solarcollectors, the energy storage component, the power manager, andsuitable wiring are provided for either retrofitting with an existingumbrella, or are included with an umbrella. Instructions for assembly ofthe solar powered, illuminated, stand-alone umbrella are included in thekit.

What is claimed is:
 1. An umbrella, comprising: a canopy; a supportmember; a frame supporting said canopy, said frame being slidinglyengaged on said support member to move said canopy between an openposition and a closed position; a solar collector mounted on saidumbrella; one or more lights mounted on said umbrella; an energy storagecomponent in electrical communication with said solar collector and withsaid one or more lights, said energy collector storing energy collectedby said solar collector and illuminating said one or more lights.
 2. Theumbrella of claim 1, further comprising a power manager in electricalcommunication with said solar collector and said storage component, saidpower manager controlling the flow of power to and from said energystorage component.
 3. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein said supportmember comprises a conduit, and wherein electrical communication betweensaid at least one light and said storage component is provided by wirespositioned in said conduit.
 4. The umbrella of claim 3, wherein saidconduit is located within said support member.
 5. The umbrella of claim3, wherein said conduit is exterior of said support member.
 6. Theumbrella of claim 1, wherein said storage component comprises one ormore batteries.
 7. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein said one or morelights are light emitting diodes.
 8. The umbrella of claim 1, whereinsaid canopy has a top side and an opposite underside, and wherein saidsolar collector is mounted to said top side of said canopy and said oneor more lights is mounted to said underside of said canopy.
 9. A methodfor illuminating an area under a canopy, comprising: a. Placing meansfor collecting solar energy atop said canopy; b. Routing energy producedby said solar collecting means to energy storing means; c. Affixingillumination means on the underside of said canopy; and d. Routingenergy stored in said energy storing means to said illumination means.10. The method of claim 9, wherein said illumination means comprises lowpower lighting.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said collecting meanscomprises a solar collector.
 12. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising a power manager, wherein said power manager routes energyfrom said collecting means to said energy storing means when saidcollecting means are generating energy.
 13. The method of claim 9,wherein said power manager routes energy from said energy storing meansto said illumination means.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein saidenergy storing means comprises a rechargeable battery.
 15. A system forilluminating an area under a canopy comprising: a. Means for collectingsolar energy mounted on said canopy; b. Means for illumination mountedon said canopy; c. Means for storing energy collected by said collectingmeans; and d. A power manager, in electrical connection with saidcollecting means, said illumination means and said energy storing means.16. The system of claim 15, wherein said power manager routes energyfrom said collecting means to said energy storing means when saidcollecting means is generating energy.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein said power manager routes energy from said energy storing meansto said illuminating means.